The Green Lantern/Green Arrow Collection, Vol. 2

The Green Lantern/Green Arrow Collection #2

by Dennis O'Neil, Elliot S. Maggin

Green Lantern and Green Arrow set out on a road trip to rediscover America, finding racism, political corruption, and capitalistic exploitation of workers.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Collections

200 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1971

About the author

Dennis "Denny" O'Neil was a comic book writer and editor best known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until his retirement.

His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.

Reviews

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Se volete leggere la mia recensione, cliccate qui! http://ascwblog.blogspot.it/2018/01/l...

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This half of the two-volume collection was stronger than the first. Still rooted in exploring social issues of the early 70s, the best parts of this were the two-issue arc about drug addiction (even if Roy Harper suddenly being a junkie came out of left-field) and the issue on racial tension that introduced new Green Lantern John Stewart.

The issue exploited psychic girl in the orphanage read more like a less-good Doctor Who episode, though, and again this volume ended on a whimper with a story that didn't thematically match the others. But in all, this is some strong classic comics writing.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dated 70's cheese in comics featuring Speedy, Green Arrow's chipper (well, formerly chipper) young ward turning junkie. He OD's of course, but pulls through in the end. Also inside: the very first black Green Lantern appearance straight from the ghetto ("Square" John Stewart)gettin' all blaxploitation on yo' ass and a pacifist hippie named Isaac who gets crucified a la Jeez.
Neal Adams' brilliant artwork tries to elevate the silliness but you can't help feeling like you're reading one of those dreadful Jesus Freak comics booklets.

[Adam Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lantern, Arrow, and Canary deal with an evil school, and we see what's happened to Carol Ferris in Lantern's absence in the most underwhelming issue of this collection. This is followed by a showdown with Black Hand, another underwhelming villain who's going to be important down the line.

There's a two part, classic hokey anti-drug story where Green Arrow discovers his former ward is a heroin addict. It was groundbreaking in the 1970s. Now, it's...well-intentioned. This very important issue for Green Arrow lore but it is over-written, preachy, and, like most of O'Neil's work has inconsistent characters.

In "What Can One Man Do." Finally, meet John Stewart. No, not the Daily Show Host, the second Green Lantern in our chronology. Another case of "well--intentioned" and "didn't age well", it is nice to see a Black Person Of Color getting his own Lantern Ring. Also, you will be shocked to learn that Hal Jordan absolutely sucks as a trainer of lanterns, and has a severe case of Institutional Racism Bias. Meanwhile, Green Arrow witnesses a riot that takes a Black child's life, and decides to run for mayor.

The rest of the volume falls into the common O'Neil and Adams territory of a Bad Story With Good Intentions. An anti-pollution/anti-Capitalism story that ends with a character you've just met being crucified on a plane, along with Hal Jordan and Green Arrow. They survive, he doesn't. There's another story after this, but my brain was so rotted by the pollution/crucifixion story that now, two minutes after reading it, I can't remember what it was about.

I think this is a Should Read for fans of Green Arrow, Green Lantern, and/or Black Canary. But it's not a Must Read. Despite the historical importance of the first John Stewart story, and the Speedy drug angle, this is still wildly overwritten.

[Your_Average_Magical_Girls_Fan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Still heavy-handed commentary, still clunkly written stories with no consistency whatsoever (Hey Green Arrow, wasn't your arm broken? WTF?!). I get where the author was aiming, but just no. Green Arrow in this is a TOTAL AND ABSOLUTE PRICK who reacts to the so-called "social issues" like a ultraconservative smuck would do, totally contradicting his canonic disdain for fascists and right-leaning politics. Meanwhile, Green Lantern spends too much time recharging his faulty Lantern battery to have an actual personality. To add injury to insult, this book also paved the road in the most idiotic way possible for the worst Green Lantern of all times, A.K.A. Mister "I am genocide incarnate" John Stewart. I give half star more just because of some silver age silliness (a plus to me) occasionally coming to the front, but other than that it's a really painful experience to get through. Check out O'Neil for his amazing 70's Batman stuff and for the sweet Batman/Green Arrow team-up, but leave safely this one out.

[Daniel Sevitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got past the novelty and weirdness of the first volume and was looking forward to the Speedy-as-a-junkie storyline. It's was a bit of a non-event in the end and Oliver turns out to be a real asshole. When you throw in his persistent misogyny towards Black Canary and some really dodgy race stuff around the introduction of John Stewart and these stories don't perhaps hold up as well as their legend suggests. Both Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen come across as insufferable blowhards who keep getting knocked out from behind because they aren't paying attention. I'm please I finanly managed to read these issues, and I genuinely admire Neal Adams' pencil work, but the stories are of their time and tough to chew.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this volume better than the first. It still was more than a little “preachy” in its message, but it’s still impressive to see one of comics’ first forays into serious, “real world” issues. Plus, we got the milestone drug issue (which was an impressive and well-written—if dated—story about very intense subject matter). And we also have the first John Stewart issue—and a Guy Gardner appearance, which is a plus for me. Worth a read, especially if you’re a Green Lantern fan, but also if you’re just interested in the history/evolution of comics.

[Omer Dassa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically "Snowbirds Don't Fly" (85-86) about drug addicts and "And Through Him, Save A World" (89) about environmental activist that cross green-lantern's girlfriend's plane company, are the two stories really worth reading from this run. The touring america storyline (at the first volume) had potential but did nothing with it. The art is interesting at points but the writing really got good only toward the end.

[Lavell]

Artwork: Top Knotch Story: Above Average. This story content was ahead of its time. This is a great combination of two top-notch writers/Artists. It features the comic where speedy is hooked on drugs.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over-written, melodramatic, kinda silly. But still compelling, and very well drawn. Probably about as close to a run of good Hal Jordan stories as I've ever seen.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember the premise starting to seem tired even as this was the volume with the famous "Speedy is a junkie" storyline.

[Bobpritch · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Comic Book runs of all time

Neil Adams at his best

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little surprised at just how topical and political this run is. While I don't think it always works, this has earned its place in comic book history and is definitely worth picking up.

We discussed this run, plus the Green Arrow's complicated history in a special episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/ep...

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in the late sixties/early seventies the sales of the Green Lantern comic book weren't doing well. Rather than cancelling the book DC tried a different approach. They decided to add Green Arrow to the title. They also shifted the focus of the book somewhat so there was more of a concentration on social issues than just the usual super heroics. Did it work? Well, the book ended up getting cancelled anyway, but at the same time the stories are considered some of the best of the era. This book contains the third and fourth stories of this team-up. The stories have been edited so as to fit a paperback as opposed to a comic book.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this for our graphic novel book club, as part of our 70's comics month (nabbed the 1st 27 issues of Hero for Hire/Power Man and the Death of Gwen Stacy Spider-Man arc, too). After reading it, I've got to conclude that the Distinguished Competition wasn't quite as far along as Marvel at the time. Granted, all three books are full of 70's cliches and cheesy dialogue (and it's hard not to love the cover of "Snowbirds Don't Fly", with Green Arrow's speech bubble, "My ward, Speedy, is a JUNKIE!").

As much as I might enjoy this volume if I read it out of context, reading it next to two other 70's comics that tackled similar issues (racism and drugs, to be specific), made me realize how weak this one was. The introduction of John Stewart actually made me like the character less, even though I he'd been my favorite GL before reading this. Here, he's got a huge racial chip on his shoulder (to the point Hal calls him out for his hypocrisy after calling him "whitey").

With all the problems this book has, it's still not hard to see why it was a success in its day and why it's become a legend marking the beginning of the Bronze Age. The art by Neal Adams is freakin' luscious! (But you already knew it would be, right?)

In the end, this book is waaaaay too preachy, and when it hits the right notes (like Speedy telling the titular heroes that their generation is full of liars and nobody believes their warnings against drugs), it undoes them with too much heavy-handed see-I-told-you-so immediately afterwards. It's worth picking up volume 2 for the history, to say you've read a couple landmark moments in comics for yourself, but that's it. Don't expect too much. There are far better books to get wrapped up in and lose yourself.

[Ezma · Rating 4 out of 5]

If for nothing else, this collection is worth it for the legendary two-parter where it's revealed that Green Arrow's ward, Speedy, is a junkie. The cover is narmful and the writing can feel dated, but it showed how the Green Lantern/Green Arrow arc was really willing to tackle issues that weren't being tackled in comics.

Indeed, the arc can still manage to stand out as unique in its tackling of topics, with the introduction of John Stewart being a highlight here in showing the issues of racism. And more than anything, it's fascinating to watch both of the Greens struggle with not always being right. Whereas in so many comics it's assumed the reader will simply go with the hero's views, here you're challenged to object to them. Green Arrow is bullheaded about drugs, while Green Lantern is clearly ignorant about racism. As much as the comic is teaching the reader, it's also teaching the heroes.

Some of the other stories featured here are unfortunately a bit weaker. Notably, a story about a school where the chef is secretly running it through a psychic little girl...yeah, there's not a lot of issues tackled in that one. But even in these weirder moments, Neal Adams' art holds up with its strong, heroic forms. Green Lantern has rarely looked better.

A must-read for any comics fan, if only for the way it helped to usher in the Bronze Age, and more ways for comics to tackle more issues besides beating up the bad guys.

[Janna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little cheesey, a little preachy (Isaac, the green terrorist), and definitely a direct continuation of volume 1. I'd heard about the Speedy issue but hadn't read it. It was... pushed a little hard but I understand why. It's a good story and I think it was done pretty well. Losing the kid from the mob was... a little heart-wrenching. I didn't like the "Earthquake beware my power" (when we meet John Stewart, Green Lantern). It's supposed to be this story about how differences aren't negatives and one man's manner of doing things can be just as effective as another man's, but it just comes off as annoying. I don't LIKE Stewart. Hal's all "Your style turned me off" but it seems to be no problem, like figuring out the shooter in the end makes up for the fact that he's a blatant racist! You don't get to be racist towards racists and still have high-ground. Maybe it's intentional and he grows later, I don't care, it's an annoying story tool and I didn't like it. Ps. Hal destroying his GIRLFRIEND's nine-million dollar aircraft because it's an ecological bad-idea.. yeaaaaaaa. No way.

I did really like Ollie's mistake. Not the mistake of course, but that it happened and that he went to deal with it in the way he did, though his prejudiced reluctance to take up the bow again is a little much, in my opinion. It's ok, all's well ends well.

[Victor Orozco · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation of the team-up of Green Lantern and Green Arrow leading up to the final issues of their partnership.

All I can say is I have my reservations about these two and the resulting popularity that came about the collections. I respect the fact that the writing of comic books has done in attempting to make things more relatable, but I read a comic book to escape from the dreariness not to embrace it.

I do love that it brings a better understanding and respect for the main characters but also towards their supporting characters. Oliver with Dinah and Roy, Hal with Carol and the Guardian (I presume is Ganthet). Do like that this brings the debut of John Stewart but I wish it wasn't handled with stereotypical agitation. Yes, the guy is black but must a black man talk about his oppression by whites? No.

I really do love Carol Ferris, its nice how they dealt with her paralysis. I can't help but wonder if they used this character arc to influence Oracle. But if anything Carol has a much greater heart.

I also find it interesting how they dealt with Roy's addiction. In many ways similar to the infamous Harry Osborn drug story from Marvel's Spider-Man.

Some pretty cool writing but a tad too preachy. C

[Raj · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second, and final, volume of the Green Arrow/Green Lantern stories by Dennis O'Neil et al. The stories in this volume get very political, tackling heavy issues of the day: drugs and pollution being chief amongst them, without the intergalactic and Great American Journey shenanigans of its predecessor.

The political stories look clumsy to 21st century eyes, where we're used to subtlety and nuance, whereas these very much hammer you over the head. But then could we be where we are now in terms of weaving contemporary issues into storytelling without this early attempt? The drugs story in particular is crude but compelling.

Together these two volumes provide an interesting, and, indeed, entertaining, glimpse back into a time when comics were changing, becoming more complex and telling deeper stories. Read it for the punching, the slice of comics history is free.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Green Lantern/Green Arrow comics in 1970-71 focused on issues and remarkably manage to avoid becoming a Very Special Comic. When Speedy becomes addicted to heroin it is because Green Arrow is a crappy mentor who has abandoned his charge for a month. Green Arrow takes this development horribly, blaming Roy, going after the dealers, and never apologizing for his reaction. Meanwhile, Roy needs Black Canary and Green Lantern to support him while he goes through withdrawal.

These superheroes are real people with actual flaws--this was over fifteen years before The Dark Knight Returns--and that makes the message far more palatable.

[Oliver Hodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much more even than the first few stories, and i thought that the famous speedy story stood up quite well. All the stories had this sort of helpless 'the problem is too big' morality that comes with awareness raising issues, but doesn't quite help to solve the problems.
The ferris toxic fuel/ test plane/ carol has been paralysed by a sixth sense kid but is still a remorseless capitalist who remembered she loves hal all in about 3 issues. As much as the issues helped bring humanity to the superheroes, the women didn't get much reasonable characterisation.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might qualify as a 'must-read', thanks to the two-part story on drugs, and the introduction of John Stewart as the latest Green Lantern. 40 years after they were written, these stories come off as way more laughable than they probably were intended, but I found them enjoyable on multiple levels.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this volume way better. The campiness was still there, but it was less prominent in this volume. I also feel like the social issues touched upon in this volume hit a bit closer to home then in the first volume. I can definitely see why Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams are widely considered to have some of the best GL/GA stories in the history of DC comics. I enjoyed them.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

wow...well, it was about on par with the first volume except the "very special" issue about Speedy the "junkie". I dont mean to be insensitive, but it was hilarious!! The gripping drama of it all was side splitting...this is why I love comics .

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume was an improvement on the first. The plots are tighter and the guys aren't as naive and grumpy. I was actually able to immerse myself in their world rather than be kept at bay by poor writing.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic. I miss the old stories from the Silver Age that revolved around social justice topics. It is a bit dismaying to see how the issues of the 1970s are still being played out and fought today. Some progress is better than no progress...

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection from the early 1970's, these comics while topical at the time are now even better - preachy, dated and unintentionally hilarious.

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creo que leí todos estos números dentro del absolute, pero seguro recaiga uno de estos años a reencontrarme con semejante saga donde ambos autores dejaron todo.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty awesome - don't see books like this much these days... A little idealistic & haughty, but the art is timeless.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historically significant comics that are also amusing. Yay.